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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cindy W on July 28, 2000, at 21:47:12
Cam, is it possible for somebody to become sensitized over time to an AD? For the past month, I've been breaking out in a rash on the trunk of my body, especially at night. I discontinued everything except for Effexor-XR 375 mg/day (and started Benadryl which used to stop it but now doesn't even slow the itching or rash down). I've been to an MD, tried anti-parasite and anti-fungal potions, and am breaking out worse every day. Does allergy to Effexor sound like a possibility? If it is possible, do such rashes get worse at certain times of the day (I take it all in the AM, but the rash appears in late afternoon and evening, then disappears again by morning). Any thoughts? I see my pdoc in three days, and am terrified that if I have to discontinue it I'll be like Cliff Robertson in "Charly" (depression and OCD back with a vengeance). Thanks!--Cindy W
Posted by Cam W. on July 29, 2000, at 11:08:02
In reply to Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR?, posted by Cindy W on July 28, 2000, at 21:47:12
Cindy - If your rash is due to an allergic reaction you would normally expect it to occur after the second or third dose of the Effexor. How long after the start of the Effexor did the rash start? If it is an allergic reaction, it may not be due to the drug, but to the other components (eg binders, coloring) that also make up the capsule. Did you recently change from the short-acting form of Effexor to the long-acting form?
I know you have, but also consider any changes that you have made just before the rash occurred. Do you have any other allergies? If not, then the likelihood of this being an allergy decreases. Other consideratins can be in the form of a change in soap (clothes or body), shampoos, foods, perfumes (or co-workers' perfumes), rug cleaning, car shampooing, chemical spraying in the yard or neighborhood, etc. Sometimes a seemingly innocuous change can cause an allergic reaction.
Then again, it may not be an allergic reaction to the Effexor, but a rash caused by the Effexor changing the composition of your skin by binding to some other receptor. This is a stab in the dark. Since the Benadryl is not working, one wonders if the rash is truly allergic in nature. Perhaps the Effexor is causing a kind of photosensitivity reaction, where your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun and causes a rash:
[eg. Effexor (in morning) + sun (throughout day - hottest in early afternoon) = reaction that causes the rash]
Effexor is not known to cause photosensitivity reactions (I don't believe), but you can test this hypothesis by using a sunscreen with a SPF number above 15. But, then again, if a rash does occur, it could be a reaction to the sunscreen (just kidding).
I would not be tempted to stop the Effexor until you see, or talk to, your doc. In the meantime, try stirring about 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda into a cool to tepid bath and relax in it. This should take away some of the itch. Colloidal oatmeal can also be used (same stuff you use for kids with chicken pox). Calamine lotion can be used as well. Benadryl cream, or other antihistamine creams, are a waste of money, as antihistamines work from the inside out and not very well from the outside in (and they are very expensive for the little that they do).
I hope some of these suggestions help. Keep us informed. - Cam
Posted by Cindy W on July 29, 2000, at 11:26:30
In reply to Re: Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR?, posted by Cam W. on July 29, 2000, at 11:08:02
> Cindy - If your rash is due to an allergic reaction you would normally expect it to occur after the second or third dose of the Effexor. How long after the start of the Effexor did the rash start? If it is an allergic reaction, it may not be due to the drug, but to the other components (eg binders, coloring) that also make up the capsule. Did you recently change from the short-acting form of Effexor to the long-acting form?
>
> I know you have, but also consider any changes that you have made just before the rash occurred. Do you have any other allergies? If not, then the likelihood of this being an allergy decreases. Other consideratins can be in the form of a change in soap (clothes or body), shampoos, foods, perfumes (or co-workers' perfumes), rug cleaning, car shampooing, chemical spraying in the yard or neighborhood, etc. Sometimes a seemingly innocuous change can cause an allergic reaction.
>
> Then again, it may not be an allergic reaction to the Effexor, but a rash caused by the Effexor changing the composition of your skin by binding to some other receptor. This is a stab in the dark. Since the Benadryl is not working, one wonders if the rash is truly allergic in nature. Perhaps the Effexor is causing a kind of photosensitivity reaction, where your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun and causes a rash:
>
> [eg. Effexor (in morning) + sun (throughout day - hottest in early afternoon) = reaction that causes the rash]
>
> Effexor is not known to cause photosensitivity reactions (I don't believe), but you can test this hypothesis by using a sunscreen with a SPF number above 15. But, then again, if a rash does occur, it could be a reaction to the sunscreen (just kidding).
>
> I would not be tempted to stop the Effexor until you see, or talk to, your doc. In the meantime, try stirring about 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda into a cool to tepid bath and relax in it. This should take away some of the itch. Colloidal oatmeal can also be used (same stuff you use for kids with chicken pox). Calamine lotion can be used as well. Benadryl cream, or other antihistamine creams, are a waste of money, as antihistamines work from the inside out and not very well from the outside in (and they are very expensive for the little that they do).
>
> I hope some of these suggestions help. Keep us informed. - CamCam, thank you very much for your suggestions! Have been on the Effexor-XR for almost eight months now, and the itchy rash started about a month ago, slow at first and gradually increasing in its intensity and amount of body covered. I cannot figure out any changes in the environment (no new soaps, perfumes, or whatever). Will try what you suggested (and try not to scratch!) ;) --Cindy W
Posted by alicefranklin on July 30, 2000, at 10:48:14
In reply to Re: Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR?, posted by Cindy W on July 29, 2000, at 11:26:30
My pharmacist always puts an "Avoid Sun" sticker on my Effexor bottles, and I did notice in the early days that when I ignored that advice, I got burned much more readily than normal.
Posted by Cam W. on July 30, 2000, at 12:22:05
In reply to Re: Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR?, posted by alicefranklin on July 30, 2000, at 10:48:14
Alice - I have not heard of any photosensitivity reactions with Effexor. I thought that since it did not block mucarinic (anticholinergic) receptors, there was little risk of sun-sensitivity. Although, on the other hand some prolonged side effects of Effexor are dry mouth and hypotension, which can be induced through anticholinergic effects. Hmmm.
I did a quick search of PubMed, to no avail. Could you ask your pharmacist where he/she got this info? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks - Cam.
Posted by alicefranklin on July 30, 2000, at 12:29:16
In reply to Re: Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR? » alicefranklin, posted by Cam W. on July 30, 2000, at 12:22:05
> Hi. I'll try to remember to ask him. It occurs to me that he has put that on every AD I've tried, so maybe he just does it to be safe. Or maybe it's his private campaign against over-exposure to sun. (He's a redhead with skin that looks like it would burn in 2 seconds flat.)
Posted by b1ueeyez on August 31, 2005, at 14:25:02
In reply to Re: Cam--allergic rash from Effexor-XR?, posted by alicefranklin on July 30, 2000, at 12:29:16
I have been taking Effexor XR (75mg) since January. Suddenly the first week of August I have been breaking out in hives... progressively getting worse. First on my arms, then torso, then upper thigh area, then back of thigh... it travels and appears in a new spot each time. Today I have them almost everywhere on my body. Benedryl helps relieve the itching and the hives reduce however once the medicine wears off HELLO HIVES!. My doctor also gave me Zyrtec (sp?) for itching and that helped also, but I do not want to be forever taking this additional medicine.
I have an appointment with an allergist tomorrow. Same as you stated, I have not changed anything notable, have never had allergies before, and this is driving me nutty.
This is the end of the thread.
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